New Mexico Wildfire Updates - Blue 2, Indios fires
George Ducker
Communications Coordinator
New Mexico State Forestry Division - EMNRD
george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov
505-699-0601
Wildfire Notification #16
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on two wildfires that are requiring the attention of federal, state, and local resources in New Mexico. The Blue 2 and Indios fires are burning on public lands and are being managed by Complex Incident Management Teams.
Blue 2 Fire
Highlights: After a coordinated effort between Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services and fire managers, evacuation levels have decreased. Firefighting equipment and personnel will still be working in these areas. For safety of public and firefighters, be safe and use caution while driving throughout the area. The previously evacuated neighborhoods are restricted to resident access and fire personnel. With the reduction of evacuations, the Emergency Operations Center will reduce hours of operation from 7 am to 7 pm and the Red Cross shelter in Capitan will close today at noon due to the reduction.
Operations: Yesterday, fire crews monitored the fire for spotting potential and new sources of heat due to the weather conditions. Mop up continued around the fire to increase containment along the perimeter. Structure protection crews were in the surrounding neighborhoods patrolling and maintaining structure protection equipment. Infrared drones detected minimal heat near the perimeter and interior of the fire. Today, pumps and sprinklers that have been in the neighborhoods will start to be cleared. Mopping up and monitoring the fire will continue through the upcoming days.
Weather: Yesterday was a near critical fire day with warm and windy conditions . The winds contributed to reduced humidity and drying out the fine fuels. No significant fire activity was experienced despite the weather. High temperatures and low humidity will continue throughout Wednesday.
Smoke: Barring any significant fire growth, we should only see periods of light smoke particularly around Bonito and Capitan. Today will be the last smoke outlook produced for the Blue 2 Fire. The interactive smoke map can still be found at fire.airnow.gov/
Closures: In the interest of public safety, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted due to ongoing firefighting activities. The Forest Closure Order will continue to remain in effect for the White Mountain Wilderness Area.
Evacuations: The Village of Capitan, Enchanted Forest, and Alto communities are no longer in the “Ready” status. The Cora Dutton, Ranchman’s Camp, Sun Valley, and Sierra Vista communities are now in a “Ready” status. The Villa Madonna, Bonito Lake, Loma Grande, and Nogal Canyon communities are now in a “Set” status, and all “Go” Evacuation notices have been lifted. For an interactive evacuation map go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs
Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft systems or drones. Find the TFR at tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/
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Acres : 7,495
Start Date : May 16, 2024
Location : 8 miles North of Ruidoso, White Mountain Wilderness Area
Cause: Lightning
Personnel: 570
Fuels : Timber/Grass/Brush
Containment : 59%
Resources : 10 crews | 22 engines | 8 helicopters | 3 bulldozers | 7 Water Tenders
Indios Fire
Highlights: Increased winds and drier air caused the fire to spread through interior unburned pockets within the northern and southern areas of the fire perimeter. Despite these conditions, the overall acreage of the Indios Fire decreased from the previous day due to more accurate mapping of the incident, and firefighters increased completion of operational objectives to 59%.
Operations: Yesterday, crews continued to strengthen firelines by masticating and chipping vegetation along the northwest and western perimeters of the fire area. Masticating vegetation is a forest management tool that involves reducing the size of forest vegetation and downed material by grinding, shredding, chunking, or chopping it. Firefighters also continued to cut and pile downed trees and extinguish any burning material along the northwest and southern control lines. Firefighters used heavy equipment to grade roads along the northwest perimeter while other crews worked to connect Forest Road 77 into the natural rock bluffs along the southwestern border of the fire. Engines continued to patrol the Corrales Ranch to prevent fire spread toward the property. Firefighters completed surveys to inform the structure protection plans for residences south of the fire. Today, fire managers anticipate that the fire will continue to actively consume fuels in the interior pockets of the fire perimeter. As these pockets of unburned fuel become smaller, the chances of a spark being carried by surface winds and starting a new fire is expected to decrease. Crews will continue to monitor and reinforce firelines, and helicopters will be available to support firefighters on the ground if the need arises.
Weather: Today’s weather will be similar to yesterday but with lighter winds and slightly warmer temperatures. These warmer, drier conditions will continue to extend burn periods later into the evening. An increased chance of showers and thunderstorms is anticipated later this week.
Smoke: Smoke continues to impact surrounding communities. Smoke monitors have been installed in Coyote, Gallina, Cañones, the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, and the Abiquiu Dam. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautions. A smoke outlook report for the Indios Fire is available online at the links below. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ . Learn more about smoke impacts at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/ .
Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Indios Fire. The full closure…